Need advice for safety on walks

[RoxMonster]

Today on our walk with Roxie, we saw no less than 3 dogs off-leash. Two were wandering freely,and one was in a yard (could have an invisible fence, but I don't want to chance it). Twice before on walks, off-leash dogs have run up to us acting aggressively and thankfully, an owner was nearby and called the dog off.

We do have leash laws in our city, but in the moment, I need something to make me more comfortable taking her for walks. She is fine near other dogs if they are not being aggressive, but obviously if they are off-leash and run up to us, I am worried about a dog fight ensuing or even H and me getting bitten.

What would you recommend carrying as a last resort? Mace? My only concern is that it may incapacitate us or our dog just from being in the vicinity. I also don't want something that would ever permanently harm or injure a dog, just something to get it to back off. The two times the dogs aggressively ran up to us, I jumped in front of Roxie and we tried shooing it off, yelling for it to "go" or "leave it," not having a clue what commands the dog knew. Once a dog fight almost ensued, but luckily the owner heard the commotion and came running out of her house. The amount of off-leash dogs in my neighborhood worries me, but our dog also deserves to go on walks (and in truth, we could run into this problem anywhere).

I definitely don't love the idea of having to Mace a dog, and it would definitely be an absolute last resort to protect our own safety. What would you recommend? (Mace is legal to carry here). My other idea was a loud horn, but I don't know how effective that would be. Roxie is good about sitting if another dog is on-leash and barking or whatever, but if it comes up to us, she is going to act defensively to protect us, and honestly, I want that.

[textbookcase]

I carry a taser and pepper spray when I walk. My parents carry a large stick.

[Jalapeñomel]

My FIL brings a walking stick and mace.

[wildfloweragain]

A lot of runners bring pepper spray.

A steak?

If it's the same few culprits I might approach the owners or call the nonemergency #.

Although, I say this and I still haven't said anything to the one family who lets their dog run through the streets in my hood.

[RoxMonster]

Yeah, it's always different culprits. I would definitely call on them if we weren't immediately threatened by them or if we were at home. It's so frustrating.

I might try the stick idea (though Roxie loves sticks and would probably try to play with it the whole time lol). Or pepper spray. Is pepper spray something where the dog wouldn't have lasting effects from getting sprayed?

[snickers]

My mom carries bear mace with her and a walking stick

[VeryViolet]

I know this sounds stupid but the best thing I have seen to break up a dog fight at the dog park is a water bottle. This guy always had a full one with the sport top thing. One day there was a dog fight and he sprayed the dogs with the water and a sharp loud no. It distracted the dogs enough to safely break up the fight. I would be scared to carry pepper spray because in an emergency situation I would mace myself for sure.